Crispy Chicken Bites: Football Food

Looking for something healthier for your Super Bowl party? I've got just the recipe for you. 

Crispy Rosemary Chicken Bites

Remember those carefree days of high school, traveling with a sports team and pulling into a McDonald's after the game was over?
Me too. 
Those are some sweet memories of a shared dinner on the back of the bus with friends. 

It's been years since I've had 'those' nuggets, but here's how I make them at home and keep them a little healthier.  Only thing missing is a big yellow school bus, a sweaty uniform and a few of your high school girl friends. 

Hope you have time to make these tasty chicken bites and enjoy watching the big game this Sunday. 

Healthy Super-bowl Finger Food

Oven Baked Crispy Chicken Nuggets with BBQ Sauce

By Lynda the Healthy Hoboken Girl

Remember when you could polish off a box of fast food chicken nuggets in high school after practice or a big game, well don’t give up your favorite childhood treats. Just clean them up and enjoy these healthier, crispy chicken bites while celebrating the Superbowl with your family & friends.  Tender on the inside, crispy, crunchy on the outside, these perfect white meat adult chicken bites are sure to go fast, so make a whole bunch.

Yields: 15-20 nuggets (depending on how large or small you cut them)

Prep time: 15-20 minutes     Inactive prep time: Marinate/Soak chicken 30 minutes to many hours

Cook time: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 package of organic boneless chicken breasts

2 cups of buttermilk or non-dairy marinate of your choice

2- 2 ½ cups of whole wheat panko crumbs (or any breadcrumb of choice)

2 eggs

1 ½ cups of whole grain flour (whole wheat, spelt, oat)

2 tablespoons of freshly chopped rosemary

1-2 cloves of minced garlic

1 tablespoon paprika

Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Wash the chicken, place it on a cutting board and cut into small nugget size pieces.  Season with salt and pepper. Pour buttermilk in a casserole dish and soak the chicken for at least 30 minutes to all day. (I usually do this step in the morning)

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and place a dry rimmed cookie sheet into the oven as it preheats.  *This is the secret to getting them super crispy and crunchy...a preheated hot pan. 

Set up your dredging station (3 shallow bowls) to bread chicken bites, one with flour, one with beaten egg and one with breadcrumbs, chopped rosemary and crushed garlic.  And a platter to hold the coated chicken before it goes into the oven. 

Dip the marinated chicken into the flour to coat, then the beaten egg and finally the breadcrumb mixture. Roll chicken all around to coat evenly and place on the platter. 

Season with salt, pepper and paprika.  Once oven is preheated, remove hot cookie sheet and pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil (or whatever oil you use) onto hot pan.  *(Chef’s Note: the pan is so hot, it’s normal for it to curl up/bend once the oil is placed onto the pan) Place the chicken bites onto the pan, you should hear a nice sizzle sound and put in the oven to bake for 10-12 minutes, flipping chicken bites over, add more paprika (optional), and continue to cook, maybe another 7-10 minutes, until crispy and light brown. Remove from oven and let cool.  Serve on a bed of romaine lettuce leaves and a small cup of BBQ sauce and enjoy! Perfect game day food. 

Who are you cheering for this weekend?
Not watching football...that's OK make these chicken bites and put on a great movie. 

Make it a happy, healthy day everyone.